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Awoman who appeared to be in her fifties sat before a round table covered in a white tablecloth.Hermane of blond and white curls was unruly, frizzing around her like a halo, probably thanks to the rainy weather.Shewore enormous, thick glasses that made her blue eyes look luminous.Banglesand beaded bracelets ran from wrist to mid-forearm, and she wore a fringed red scarf as a cardigan.Shestood up as the two women entered, the scent of herbs and incense heavy in the air.
“Hazel, this isFionaCrowley, the owner of theMysticMuse.Fiona, this isHazel.She’sstaying with us at theShephardInn.”
FionaofferedHazela warm smile and an extended hand, whichHazelshook.
“Hi, it’s—”Hazelstarted, but the words died on her lips when instead of letting her hand go, she flipped it over, peering intently atHazel’spalm, lips moving wordlessly, fingers tracing with a featherlight touch.
“Mmmm…” she said, nodding as she tapped gently onHazel’spalm. “Heartbreak, yes.Andthings out of your control, hmm.Veryinteresting indeed.”ShegaveHazel’shand a squeeze and then let it go, looking up at her and blinking through her glasses.
“Haveyou ever had your cards read, dear?” she asked, patting her sweater as though looking for something.Shereached in somewhere below her left armpit and pulled out a deck of worn, almost frayedTarotcards.
Hazelshook her head. “No, um.Ican’t sayIhave.”
“Youshould,” saidAutumnencouragingly. “Fiona’sthe best, and the cards can help provide clarity when you’re feeling lost.”
Sheglanced over and metAutumn’sgaze.Therewas empathy and understanding in the younger woman’s eyes, as though she could see right throughHazel.
“Okay,” she said. “Justtell me what to do.”
Fionagestured at an empty chair on the other side of the table. “Please.”
Abolt of excitement ran throughHazel, making her sit up a little straighter.Aweek ago, if someone had asked her if she believed in magic and legends, in signs and ghosts, she would’ve said absolutely not.Buthere, now?
Shecouldn’t say shedidn’tbelieve.Theway coincidences had seemed to pile up on top of each other like bricks in a wall was too much to ignore.Andshe couldn’t deny the emotional experience she’d had at the falls, either.
Andthen there was the whole thing with the shower that morning…Butterfliesunfurled long dormant wings in her stomach at the memory ofAdam.
“How…how does this work?” she asked, watching asFionafanned out the cards before her on the table and then waved a smoldering incense stick over them.
“Sinceyou’ve never had your cards read before,Isuggest starting with a simple three-card pull.Then, we can pull more cards for clarification, or if you think of questions you want answers to.”
“Oh,Ihave questions.Alot of questions.”
“Good,” saidFiona, gathering up the cards in a smooth, practiced movement. “Thenlet’s get started.”
Sheshuffled the cards with nimble fingers, andHazelleaned forward, her stomach fluttering in eager anticipation.Then, she laid out three cards face down, flipping over only the one farthest to the left.
“Thesethree cards represent the past, present, and future,” she said, tapping on each one. “Whenwe look at the past card, it shows us the energies and events in your past that are still affecting you.Itshows us how your past is holding you back, or blocking you from what you need.Itcan also show us what you need to learn from the past.”Shepursed her lips, glancing down at the card she’d flipped over. “TheFiveofWands.Conflict, tension, lots of arguing.Therewas a great battle,Ithink,” she says slowly. “Friendswere lost, alliances shredded.Yourgoals did not come to fruition as you’d hoped.”
Hazellet out a small laugh. “Yeah,I’dsay that about sums it up.Idivorced my husband,Ilost my best friend, and my career is…”Sheshook her head. “Stagnant,Iguess.”
Fionanodded and turned over the second card. “Thiscard represents the present.What’shappening right now, what energies are around you, current opportunities and challenges.Thisis theKingofPentacles.”Shetapped it softly. “Money.Careersuccess.Aloyal and dedicated romantic partner.”
Hazel’seyebrows inched up. “Idon’t know about that.Idon’t have much money, and my success is all in the past.AndI’mvery much single.”
“Theloyal and dedicated partner is in your life, currently.Andthis card is telling me that you can translate your vision into something real—you’re a writer, yes?That’swhatAutumntold me?”WhenHazelnodded, she continued. “Thiscard indicates creative fulfilment, perhaps attached to the person it represents.”
“Creativefulfilment attached to this loyal and dedicated partner?”Hazelcouldn’t keep the note of skepticism out of her voice.
“Thisis your present.Theidea you need is within you already.Theperson you need is around you already.Theenergies are converging in a positive way.Whenyou trust your instincts, everything you touch will turn to gold.Stopfighting against yourself so hard,” she said softly, indicating theFiveofWandsagain. “Successis yours for the taking.Loveis yours for the taking.”
“Love,” she repeated quietly.
“Yes.Withsomeone steadfast and somewhat traditional, who has financial stability and wants to be in a committed relationship.Thisman,” she said, tapping the card again, “is a good provider, and would make an excellent husband.Thisman is good-natured, but firm when he needs to be.”
Autumnlet out a little squeak, andHazelknew she was thinking of her brother.Funny,Hazelwas thinking of him, too.Eventhough she barely knew him, his face was swimming through her mind.Shetried to remind herself that the power of suggestion was indeed a powerful thing, that maybe she shouldn’t let herself get caught up in all of this.Tried, but failed.
“Now, the final card represents the future.Theoutcome of the present, the direction things are moving in.Itcan also reveal what you truly want, which we’re not always honest with ourselves about.”Sheflipped it over, and a rumble of thunder purred in the distance.Ashiver ran downHazel’sspine.
